Derek McInnes praised Lawrence Shankland as an outstanding captain who is set to wield a considerable influence at Rangers, irrespective of whether he starts every match. The Scottish forward first captained McInnes at Hearts, and when the manager moved to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, Shankland followed and was handed the same armband at the Glasgow club. Since arriving in Govan, however, the striker has not made an immediate splash. He was named among the substitutes for the 5-1 League Cup victory over St Mirren at home on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin stepping in to wear the captain's band for that fixture.
Despite the bench role, McInnes remains confident in Shankland's leadership qualities. Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec, scheduled for Thursday at Ibrox, McInnes explained his view: "When I spoke to Lawrence I made it clear that being captain does not guarantee any special treatment, and he understood that. He isn’t going to get upset about it.
Someone has to be the club captain and, having worked with Lawrence before, I know he is a brilliant leader and a brilliant young man. He brings a lot to the table, and sometimes people read too much into the role. I want my captain to influence the team both on and off the pitch, and I believe Lawrence will do exactly that. For me it’s a non‑question, even if others might see it differently." Shankland’s on‑field contributions this season have been limited so far.
He made his second appearance of the campaign as a second‑half substitute against St Mirren, but was unable to add to his lone Rangers goal – a penalty he converted in a Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia. McInnes, however, is untroubled by the modest return. He said, "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows how to find space in the box and finish chances, I don’t worry too much. He is too talented not to score regularly.
He proved that over several seasons at Hearts, where he consistently hit the 20‑goal mark each year. Sometimes the media over‑emphasises short‑term droughts. For me it’s about letting him play his natural game.
The best strikers have an instinctive side – everything looks effortless and fluid. I have no doubt he will thrive here once he settles in." In other news, Rangers announced that 20‑year‑old Serbian international Kosta Nedeljković has joined the club on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to purchase at the end of the term.
The signing marks McInnes’s eleventh addition of the summer and adds competition for the right‑back slot alongside Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie. McInnes commented, "We identified the right‑back position as a need early in pre‑season and explored several options.
The club has relied heavily on Dujon, who has struggled with injuries, so we wanted a different type of full‑back. I have a high opinion of Dujon, but Kosta brings a profile similar to midfielder Vanja Dragojević – high energy, athleticism and the ability to cover the length of the pitch. He shows quality and a real eagerness to play the role.
As a youngster, there are still areas to improve, and we’re excited to help him develop." The manager’s remarks underline a broader philosophy at Rangers: leadership and talent are valued not just for their on‑field statistics but for the character and influence they bring to the squad. McInnes believes that Shankland’s experience as captain at Hearts, combined with his proven goal‑scoring record, will eventually translate into a pivotal role for the club, even if early appearances have been from the bench.
He stresses that the team’s success depends on allowing players to express their natural instincts, trusting that consistency will follow. As the Conference League play‑off looms, Rangers will look to integrate both the seasoned striker and the promising full‑back into a cohesive unit capable of competing on multiple fronts. The upcoming matches will offer McInnes a chance to assess how Shankland’s leadership manifests in high‑pressure situations and whether the new defensive recruit can provide the stability and dynamism required for a demanding season.
The club’s supporters can anticipate a blend of seasoned experience and youthful vigor as the team strives for domestic and European success.